Police puppy Ava goes to school for the day

Following a competition to name one of the new police puppies, the winner, St Begh’s Junior School in Whitehaven will be visited this month.The puppy, Ava and her trainer, PC Steve Jones, along with Sergeant Mark Yielder, will attend the school on Monday 20th February 2012, to visit the children and speak to them about the training she will receive to make her into a fully trained police dog.

The competition received 380 entries, with St Begh’s School being picked at random to receive the visit.

 Louise Northern, the school’s headteacher, said: “We are delighted that Ava will be coming to the school. All of the children are really excited and are looking forward to the visit. It will be a great opportunity for them to learn about police dogs and how hard they have to train.”

Sergeant Mark Yielder, from Cumbria Constabulary Dog Unit, said: “This will be good environment training for Ava. Part of her training consists of her being exposed to different situations so that she does not become frightened or phased by her surroundings.

“This is important for her progression into becoming a police dog. We hope the visit will be an enjoyable and educational one for the children.”